Ep. 198 02/01/2026
Compass Points
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about last Friday's anti-ICE protest, discussion of immigration at County Commission, and recent national attention paid to Big Ears founder Ashley Capps and County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. Looking ahead, they preview multiple meetings of the Knox County school board this week, along with Knoxville City Council and the UT Knoxville campus Advisory Board. Pleas share you can binge the website while you'r snowed in.
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Ep. 197 01/25/2026
Compass Points
With Scott out, Jesse (and producer Seth!) talk through the Knoxville Police Department's new drones and cameras; the Legislature's raft of immigration enforcement bills; the new City Council members' delay of some local grants; and the passing of Natalie Haslam. They're joined by Compass correspondent Thomas Fraser, who explains Oak Ridge National Lab's role in a new national fusion energy project. And they look ahead to this week's County Commission meeting, and a breakfast with state legislators sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
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Ep. 196 01/18/2026
Compass Points
On this week's episode, Scott and Jesse talk about further developments at Knox County's troubled Juvenile Services Center (Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin will apparently be taking charge); the Knoxville Police Department's deployment of the first new camera in its Real Time Information Center system; the opening of a new apartment complex, part of the Transforming Western initiative; a settlement in a lawsuit over the shooting death of teenager Anthony Thompson Jr.; and the Tennessee Legislature's return to session, with a bill aimed at restricting venues that host drag shows. The guys also...
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Ep. 195 01/11/2026
Compass Points
This week, Jesse fills in for Scott (with help from producer Lord Seth) to talk about ICE's search for a West Knox office, new immigration enforcement proposals at the local and state levels, the possibility of another site for Emerald Youth's sports complex in East Knoxville, ORNL's role in an ambitious scientific AI effort, falling homicide and car fatality rates in Knoxville, and a lawsuit against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra by a jilted clarinetist. The guys also look ahead to this week's events leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Play along with Seth's resolution to read the...
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Ep. 194 01/04/2026
Compass Points
It’s 2026, but Scott and Jesse have a little unfinished business with 2025. They take a last look back at the just-finished year and some of the local stories that shaped it: City Council elections, the failed push for a city sales tax hike, the Chilhowee Park controversy, the new downtown stadium, investigations in the property assessor and trustee’s offices, problems at the Juvenile Service Center, Betsy Henderson’s pro-voucher testimony, and more! Plus, some unvarnished thoughts on downtown parking changes. The guys also look ahead to meetings this week of the school board, City...
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Ep. 193 12/21/2025
Compass Points
This week, Scott and Jesse break out the eggnog and take a look at the latest developments in the troubled saga of the Knox County Juvenile Services Center, which was the subject of another scathing report about its operations and also faces a lawsuit from a former employee claiming racial discrimination. Also: the reopening of the Gay Street Bridge to pedestrian and bicycle traffic; some cautious notes in a UT economic report to governor; and the swearing-in of five new City Council members. As for the coming week, there's not much to look forward to on the civic calendar except a Merry...
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Ep. 192 12/14/2025
Compass Points
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about County Commission's appointment of a general sessions judge, controversy over a townhouse development in West Hills, state AG Jonathan Skrmetti's opinion on religious charter schools, and some significant developments for iconic local buildings. They also look ahead to this week's meeting of County Commission, and the swearing-in of five new City Council members. GO NOW to to subscribe TODAY....Gift it to your neighbor...Compass is a wonderful gift!
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Ep. 191 12/07/2025
Compass Points
This week Scott and Jesse talk schools — the Knox County school board's vote to support educating immigrant students, some questions raised by a charter school evaluation, and a lawsuit by a group that wants to start an explicitly Christian charter school. Plus: TVA's $400 million nuclear grant, and County Commissioner Larsen Jay brings Gen. John Kelly to town. The guys also preview the agendas for this week's meetings of Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council, and the Planning Commission.
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Ep. 190 11/30/2025
Compass Points
Scott and Jesse talk about the city's controversial changes to duplex ownership; the legacy of Randy Tyree, the former Knoxville mayor who died last week; Knox County Schools advances in state rankings; and some new developments kicking off around Covenant Health Park. They also look ahead to this week's school board meetings and assorted holiday events.
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Ep. 180 11/23/2025
Compass Points
This week, Scott and Jesse talk about One Knoxville SC's championship season and what it means for the new downtown stadium; the political implications of County Commissioner Rhonda Lee's plans to seek a judgeship; the ongoing challenges at the county's Juvenile Services Center; and some national news about artificial intelligence efforts announced right here in East Tennessee. They also look ahead to this week's City Council meeting, as well as holiday plans for Thanksgiving week. Remember this is a FREE Service of support Scott and Jesse by sharing this show AND subscribing TODAY
info_outlineKnoxville City Council is poised to vote on whether to put a sales tax increase referendum on the November ballot. Scott digs into the details of the proposal, which would raise $47 million a year for infrastructure and housing needs.
He also looks at the compressed time frame the county has to approve its zoning ordinance overhaul, the school system’s strategic plan, various housing issues and Alan Sims’ departure from the Knoxville media landscape.
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